Method of smelting ores.



STATES OFFICE.

FLORENTINE J. MAOHALSKE, OF PLATTSBURG, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS, TO AMERICAN FERROLEOTR-IDE CORPORATION, OF PLATTSBUIRG, NEWYORK, A. CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF SMEL'IING ORES.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FLORENTINE J. MA-orrALsKn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Plattsburg,Clinton county, New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Methods of Smelting Ores, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a new and improved method of smelting iron oresand has for its object to provide a method of smelt ing such ores so asto produce a metal which is largely free from impurities and carbon. Itis a known fact that all metallic oxids may be reduced to metallic formby means of ordinary carbon at a high temperature. Up

to the present time, carbon has been used in different forms, as, forinstance, wood charcoal, coal and coke as a reducing agent, but not inthe form of graphite, especially artificially prepared graphite, whichis the purest form of commercial graphite. I have discovered that theuse of electrically pre pared graphite as a reducing agent inmetallurgical operations is a great advantage, because substantially noimpurities are introduced by it into the charge and the amount of carbonwhich will. be absorbed by the metal from the graphite is practicallyeliminated or reduced to a minimum. Moreover, the amount of currentnecessary is greatly reduced, due to the fact that the graphite is ofhigher conductivity than other forms of carbon.

In carrying out my method, I introduce into a suitable furnace a basiccharge of ore, flux and artificial graphite, the flux being preferablycalcium oxid in the form of burnt lime or of unburnt lime. In making thecharge, I use substantially the same proportions of ore, carbon and limeas are now used in the ordinary process practised, substituting for theordinary carbons now used a proportionate amount of graphite. The ferricOXlCl of the ore is reduced by being heated in the presence of theartificial graphite, the oxygen combining with the graphite to formcarbon monoxid in the ordinary manner, but

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 27, 1913.

Patented June 9, 1914.

Serial No. 776,156

the artificial graphite, on account of its peculiar characteristics,does not combine with or attack the molten iron, with the result thatthe iron is not carburized by the reduc- .ing agent used in the charge.

In carrying out my process, I prefer to use a furnace having theportions of the lining which come into contact with the molten metalmade of artificial. graphite, as described in my application Ser. No.776,158 filed simultaneously herewith, and to use electrodes composed ofcarbon rods sur- 6O rounded by a filler oil magnesium oxid (dolomite) asdescribed in another application Scr. No. 776,157 filed by mesimultaneously herewith, although any suitable furnace and electrodesmay be used in carrying out my broad invention. What is knowncommercially as Acheson graphite, produced by treating ordinary carbonelectrically, is a suitable artificial graphite for carrying out myprocess.

lVhat I claim is:

1. An improvement in the process of smelting iron which consists informing a basic charge composed of iron ore, graphite and a basic flux,and subjecting this charge to an electric current.

2. An improvement in the process of smelting iron which consists intori'ning a basic charge composed of iron ore, artificial graphite anda. basic flux, and subjecting this charge to an electric current.

The process of smelting iron which consists in forming a basic charge ofiron ore, artificial graphite and lime, and subjecting the same to anelectric current.

4-. An improvement in the process of smelting iron which consists informing a basic charge composed of iron ore, graphite and a basic flux,and subjecting this charge to an electric current in a furnace linedwith graphite.

FLORENTINE J. MACHALSKE.

Witnesses V. H. CLARK, T. Gr. I'IOYT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

